Mnangagwa snubs prayer breakfast attended by Chamisa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today snubbed The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Meeting organised by church leaders and attended by MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa. Mnangagwa decided to send Minister of Defence and War Veterans Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri to represent him.

The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Meeting has been held amid calls for political leaders to create a new sense of direction that will bring convergence and foster national cohesion.

The hope started by a new chapter opened this Wednesday after a first-ever political leaders dialogue at State House, saw the voice of belief in a future good being carried through Thursday morning, as political leaders from diverse parties, heads of church denominations, captains of industry and civic society organisations, among others, joined hands as in singing the song, "if you believe and I believe".

The aim of the gathering was to unite opposing factions around the ideal of achieving long-term peace, unity, justice, and prosperity for all Zimbabweans.

The meeting commenced with a call to worship led by Father Simba Mutandwa who highlighted that a lasting solution to the negativity present in the country can be solved by reaching out to each other in honest and faithful dialogue which he said in the past produced positive results.

Other respected church leaders who include Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi, Bishop Ezekiel Guti and Reverend Dr Kenneth Mtata also weighed in saying peace, unity and love should be the flagship of Zimbabwe.

In line with the focus of praying together so that the language of love and dialogue may always prevail over the language of conflict, various speakers representing political parties, the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, young people, civil society organisations, the business community and women's organisations took to the floor to affirm their commitment to national dialogue.

MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa said dialogue is key but apportioned blame on political leaders.

Namatayi Makwekweza who spoke on behalf of the young people stole the limelight when she implored national leaders to be honest and open with each other.

United Nations Development Fund Country Director Mr Bishow Parajuli who spoke on behalf of the international community said sustenance of peace has a higher chance of lasting when its nationally made and locally-owned.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was represented by Minister of Defence and War Veterans Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri once again reached out to opposition political parties underscoring his commitment to national dialogue and the importance of speaking positively about the country.

Indeed, the prayer breakfast meeting provided an opportunity for Zimbabweans to reflect.

Prayers by powerful intercessors for the church to be an oasis of love, hope and concord, for the entrenchment of democracy and good governance, for justice, rule of law and security, prayer for the recovery of the economy, prayer for the young people and a prayer for unity among Zimbabweans, all carried messages of hope for a better Zimbabwe.